What's On
Get involved in the build-up to the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with plenty of exciting events both on and off water.
Friday 5 - Tuesday 9 December: Australian Maxi Championship
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia will host the Australian Maxi Championship from 5 to 9 December 2025.
This regatta was introduced by Australian Sailing to provide additional valuable racing for Maxis and Mini-Maxis.
The 2025 Australian Maxi Championship will be conducted over 4 races and will feature Maxis (80-100 foot) and Mini Maxis (60-79 foot) with an IRC TCC of at least 1.450.
Friday 5 December: Cabbage Tree Island Race
The 5th race in the 2025/26 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore and first race in the Australian Maxi Championship will start at 1700 hours on Friday 5 December.
The 172 nautical mile race attracts more than 40 competitors each year, with many Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race competitors using the Cabbage Tree Island Race to qualify and serve as crew training.
The race starts near Point Piper and takes the fleet north to Cabbage Tree Island (just north of Port Stephens) before returning to finish in Sydney Harbour.
Find out more on the race website or here.
Sunday 7 and Monday 8 December: Australian Maxi Championship
Competitors across both divisions in the Australian Maxi Championship will compete in two passage races.
Tuesday 9 December: SOLAS Big Boat Challenge
Some of Australia's biggest racing yachts come together to flex their muscle in the annual SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.
The race is a thrill for competitors and spectators alike as the mini maxis, maxis and super maxis do battle on Sydney Harbour.
There is even more on the line, as this is the final race in the Australian Maxi Championship.
Thursday 11 December: Quiet Little Drink
The Sydney Race Village comes alive to celebrate our sailors and their milestones.
The QLD (Quiet Little Drink) makes its much-anticipated return, celebrating Sydney Hobart first-timers, Youth Sailing Academy alumni taking on their first race, women sailors reaching their 10-race milestone, and crew members marking their 25th race.
Friday 12 - Sunday 14 December: Club Marine Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta
Another strong fleet is building for the 2025 Club Marine Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta, with some of Australia's most historic boats set to take to Sydney Harbour for three days of racing.
An invitation race on Friday will be followed by a pursuit race on Saturday and a scratch race on Sunday.
The annual regatta, organised by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, is open to:
- Classics - any yacht launched prior to 1976 that has competed in at least one Sydney Hobart Yacht Race;
- Modern Classics - any yacht that has a launch date after 1975 and prior to 1996 that has competed in a Sydney Hobart Yacht Race;
- other "Veteran" yachts invited by CYCA.
With many former Sydney Hobart winners amongst the fleet (including Love & War (1974, 1976 and 2006) and Solveig (1954)), the Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta has become a popular celebration of the history and heritage of Australia's premier ocean race.
The 2025 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta will be proudly supported by Club Marine.
Wednesday 17 December: Women in Sailing Night
Olympian and Rolex Sydney Hobart commentator Lisa Darmanin will moderate a panel of accomplished local and international women sailors, sharing their stories, insights, and experiences.
Saturday 20 December: Official VIP & Skippers Launch
The countdown to the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race continues with the Official VIP & Skippers Launch in the Sydney Race Village. This is an invitation only event.
Monday 22 December: Crew Party
Always a popular event, the Crew Party brings together competitors for a pre-race celebration in the Sydney Race Village.
Friday 26 December: 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
The 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will start at 1300hrs on Sunday 26 December.
Boxing Day is Family Day in the Sydney Race Village, an ideal location to watch the race start live on the large outdoor screen, with plenty of activities for the whole family. Find out more.
Friday 26 December: 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart spectator vessel
The Jackson is sold out for 2025. Join us on Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's spectator vessel The Jackson for the start of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The Jackson is the only public spectator vessel permitted within the Sydney Harbour exclusion zone for the exciting race start.
Saturday 27 December: Hobart Race Village opens
The Hobart Race Village opens at 1200hrs on Saturday 27 December.
With daily live music, Q&As on stage, food trucks, a bar and an Information Desk staffed by our finishing partner, Royal Yacht Club of Australia, this is the perfect spot to watch the fleet finish
Wednesday 31 December: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Prize Giving
The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart will again host the Prize Giving Ceremony at 1500 hours, with winners across all divisions acknowledged.
